Chapter 5

“I came to tell you that I made plans for a family dinner this weekend but changed my mind and pushed it back to next weekend since Nathan will be coming on Saturday, that way we would do it properly as a complete family.”

Derek rubbed his forehead with his fingers. He didn’t like what he just heard because every family dinner he had been to with Michelle didn’t turn out good. His mom always had a way of getting to Michelle. She always found a way to make her unhappy.

He sighed.

“Mom, we’re already having a party at my place for Nathan and I’m certain we all would be present. So.. I don’t think this family dinner will be necessary.” Derek bluntly told his mom.

“Oh honey, your father is away on a business trip and there will be friends and colleagues present at that party, but this, this is about us as a family… Besides, it’s been a while since we last had a family dinner.”

“We did that three months ago, mom”

“Yeah. And that’s quite a long time ago” Rebecca said, ignoring Derek’s displeasure with her dinner plans.

“I don’t think that’s necessary”

“Oh well. I’m not here for your opinion… I've already made plans, I only came to tell you in person”

“Hmmn” Derek sighed, knowing that his mom won’t change her mind no matter what he says to try to make her cancel that dinner.

“Fine. Is that all?” he asked

“Yes sweetie. That would be all for now” she replied, stressing the 'now'

Rebecca stood up from the couch, ready to take her leave.

“I’m off to see Helen” she then said

Derek only nodded, as a sign that he heard her

“Aren’t you gonna give your mom a goodbye hug?” she asked Derek

He stood up from the couch and gave his mom a hug. She then kissed him on his cheek.

“That’s my baby” she said in a happy tone and walked out of the office.

Derek let out a sigh of relief, glad that his mom left his office without making any silly comments about Michelle. He sat back on the couch, thinking about how he was going to tell Michelle about this dinner without her getting scared as always. He was deep in thoughts when his secretary knocked on his door before entering.

“Sir, Mr. Thomas is already here.”

“Send him in.” he said in return and stood up from the couch to go sit on his office chair.

#

Michelle was saying hello to one of her regular customer, a wealthy businessman and his wife who always had dinner at her restaurant when Derek walked into the restaurant. He kept scanning the place like he was looking for someone, then his eyes landed on Michelle.

He looked so stressed out, Michelle was certain that it was work related. When she was sure the couple were comfortable, she excused herself and walked towards Derek. She noticed a lot of ladies staring at Derek with wide eyes, surprised to see him in person because he hardly made public appearances. Most of the waitresses were already drooling. Rather than scold them, Michelle just smiled at how terribly they failed to contain their emotions.

Michelle stopped right in front of Derek and gave him a kiss. She noticed he kissed her passionately in return, it’s not like she was complaining but it worried her because there was a sort of emotion behind the kiss and she had no idea what it was. She hates it when she doesn’t know what is on his mind. He only behaves this way when he has to go on a business trip or when he is needy.

When they parted from the kiss, she saw some girls taking pictures of them. She felt embarrassed because she wasn’t used to her personal life being out there in public, she has had that problem from when she was little.

“Can we go?... If you aren’t done yet, I can wait.” Derek said.

“No, I’m done for the day.” She replied.

“I’ll just go get my purse and give a few instructions to some staffs, then I’ll join you in the car.” She said to him

“I’ll be waiting in the car.”

“Okay. Give me five minutes.” She replied, then he walked out of the restaurant.

The drive home was quiet and Michelle didn’t like it. When they arrived home, Derek came out of the car and opened the door for her, then they both walked hand in hand into the mansion. Michelle went straight to the kitchen to make dinner.

She was getting all the ingredients out when Derek walked into the kitchen, he was still on his shirt and pants but his tie and jacket were off. He had the sleeves of his shirt folded up to his elbows revealing the tattoos on his right arm.

She wouldn’t deny that she found the tattoos from the right side of his chest to his wrist sexy.

“Need a hand?” Derek asked.

Michelle smiled at his question, wondering what he could probably help her with, when all his life he has never held a spatula. He has zero idea when it’s kitchen related.

“No, thanks… But, I won’t mind if you set the table and after that you can sit down and watch me cook.” She replied with a smile.

He walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder.

“I didn’t say you should watch me like this.” Michelle protested.

“I prefer watching you this way.” He replied. She couldn’t help but blush.

Michelle was hardly paying any attention to the meal she was preparing because of Derek’s closeness.

“Babe, I can barely concentrate.” She confessed.

“But I’m not doing anything.” Derek argued before placing a kiss on her shoulder and walked to the island bar to make himself comfortable on one of the seats.

After thirty minutes, Michelle finished making dinner. She made spaghetti and tomato sauce and they ate quietly.

Michelle didn’t want to ask him what was on his mind yet because she wanted him to eat dinner without having any reason to lose his appetite. Derek, on the other hand didn’t want to break the news of the family dinner to Michelle over dinner because he was certain she wouldn’t bother finishing her meal and would remain gloomy for the rest of the night. He didn’t want any of that to happen after she went through the stress of making dinner.

Michelle did the dishes after dinner, while Derek went upstairs to freshen up. She joined him in the bedroom when she was done and also went to freshen up. She wore a black night gown when she was done, black was Derek’s favorite color.

He was lying shirtless on the bed, wearing only a black sweatpants when Michelle joined him on the bed. She placed her head on his chest and began tracing her fingers on his tattoos. He was stroking her hair while she did that.

“Mom has made preparations for a family dinner next weekend.” He suddenly said.

Michelle became tense. She quit what she was doing and lifted her head so she could see his face.

“Why?... I thought we’re already having a party for Nathan where everyone would be present.” She asked.

“I told her the same thing but she was persistent. She claimed dad won’t be there and she didn’t need my permission to do anything… She said she was only letting me know so I don’t make any other plans on that day.” he explained.

Michelle placed her head back on his chest, while he began rubbing circles around her back with his thumb.

“Babe, if you like we can ditch the dinner..”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

She let out a sigh before quietly saying,

“We’ll attend it.”

They both know they never enjoyed any of the family dinner they’ve been to since Derek introduced Michelle to his family, because Rebecca always used it as an opportunity to humiliate Michelle. The room was quiet, neither of them wanted to break the silence.

“Goodnight.” Derek said, placing a kiss on Michelle’s head.

“Goodnight.” She softly whispered before closing her eyes.